For homeowners, good news has been hard to come by in this bleak economy. So it may come as a happy surprise to many to learn that the two most compelling trends in home remodeling and maintenance — pinching pennies and going “green” — are quite compatible with each other. A Handyman service specializes in making your home usable for you and completing projects that fit all of your needs.

Sustainability and green building practices can help homeowners save money in the long run. Choosing high performance and low lifecycle-cost products — ones that require little to no maintenance or replacement — for your remodeling project means that over the usable life of the product, you will pay little more than the cost of the initial investment.

Selecting quality products that are durable and will not need replacement within the life of the structure not only saves money, but it helps save the environment as well. It substantially reduces the amount of raw materials used and lowers the amount of emissions and waste produced in manufacturing, transportation and installation. Also, choosing a product that won’t require replacement any time soon means less demolition material sent off to the landfills.

Some traditional and timeless products, like ceramic tile, are a perfect fit for today’s eco- and economy-conscious home owners. Highly versatile and durable, ceramic tile blends contemporary design with sustainable living. Investing in ceramic tile will show you a return on your investment in a variety of ways:

Reduce Your Utility Bill Using materials that reduce energy consumption maximizes energy efficiency and saves you money on your utility bills. Ceramic tile boasts high thermal-storage capacity which means it retains heat and emits it slowly — great for homes located in climates where days are warm and nights turn cool. A qualified Handyman company can lay ceramic tile throughout your home - making it a great investment within your biggest investment, your home.

Superior Longevity Ceramic tile is in it for the long haul, offering supreme durability and a longer lifespan than most floor and wall coverings. Wood often requires refinishing and is easily damaged in high traffic areas. Carpeting loses its pile, shows wear and emits gases, sending harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Ceramic tile, however, lasts up to four times longer. And with no need for expensive replacement and repair, homeowners will enjoy the benefit of its low lifecycle cost.

Low Maintenance Bills When it comes to maintaining your ceramic tile floor or wall covering, your design choice won’t impact the environment but will save you cash. Cleaning ceramic tile requires no harsh or expensive cleaning chemicals, shampoos, or other solvents that could be flushed into the ecosystem. Neutral cleansers and water are the only cleaning products required. This easy maintenance also contributes to consumer cost savings over the life of the installation.

Design-wise, you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics just to get the stuff that lasts. Advanced technology has allowed manufacturers to replicate surfaces virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. With modern ceramic tile, homeowners can achieve the look of wallpaper, wood, stone and textiles but retain the longevity and benefits of tile. Handyman Matters specializes in a variety of projects around your home, laying tile is one of them.

Handyman Matters GTA opened in September of 2003 and has been serving customers all over Toronto, North York, Thornhill, Markham, York Region and surrounding communities. We can handle the smallest jobs, from one hour to a complete bathroom remodel. Some of the jobs we handle are carpentry, drywall, painting, plumbing, electrical, fencing, decks, doors, caulking in bathrooms, etc. To find a location near you visit, www.HandymanMatters.com .